Fresh Foods

Locally Grown Foods

McKinney has become well-known in health-conscious circles for availability and support of the “slow foods” movement, which encourages healthful eating of foods grown locally using practices that keep an eye on environmental impact. As defined at Slow Food USA, slow food strives to be everything fast food is not. Vendors focusing on slow foods sell their products in McKinney through several outlets. Also, several of the restaurants on the downtown square use locally grown foods found at these markets when preparing their menus.

This market is highly ranked both nationally and statewide. Call 972-562-8790 for more information about being a vendor.

Other McKinney shops offering fresh food options include:

Essentialz Grocer, Deli and Tap

Essentialz is a grocer, deli and tap. Owner and former local high school chemistry teacher Theresa Harris repurposed McKinney's beautiful and historic 1st National Bank Building with a dream of helping residents and visitors remember fond food memories and create new ones.

Essentialz specializes in pure, unpackaged and unprocessed meals, groceries and homemade ice cream. Grab an old-fashioned soda or float in this zero-waste venue, the first of its kind in North Texas. Grocery items include everything typically found in the perimeter of any grocery store. Highlights include local, grass-fed and finished beef, pork, pasture raised chickens and eggs, freshly baked breads and Boar's Head deli meats and cheeses. Beer and wine are available for purchase and can be brought home or enjoyed in the dining area or outside on the patio. Additionally, organic coffees, teas, nuts and other dry goods are available in bulk, allowing smaller purchases to remain fresh.

Host your small special event in the most beautiful building on the square; choose a wine tasting, gourmet coffee and pastry bar, or festive pajama party and cereal bar, or plan your own themed event.

Local Yocal Farm-to-Market

This specialty shop in McKinney’s historic downtown is a farmer-owned, full-service butcher shop and local goods market specializing in organic and locally-produced foods. Here shoppers will find nutrient-rich food straight from the grower, including truly farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, yogurt, milk, grass-fed meats, pasture raised poultry and specialty items such as organic granola and breads, local honey, healthy snacks and more. Local Yocal also provides custom processing of meats for hunters and ranchers.

On Saturdays (and other specially-scheduled times), owner Matt Hamilton hosts Steak 101 classes to educate attendees on meat grading and cutting as well as cooking, providing participants with samples of a variety of meats grilled just for them at the end of the class.

Patina Green Home and Market

Patina Green, a family-owned lifestyle shop, is unlike any other business on McKinney's downtown square. Here you can find home decor and gifts as well as a fresh-from-the-farm market and even a lunch counter. They serve a seasonal breakfast and lunch Tuesday - Saturday with a menu that changes daily. (Food Network Magazine even named one of their sandwiches the BEST sandwich in Texas!) In the farmer's market section of the shop, they sell local and organic produce, pastured chicken & grass-fed meat, house-made salsa and dressings, farm fresh milk, cheese, & eggs, plus much more. For the home, they sell one-of-a-kind antiques, home furnishings, unique gifts, and handmade items.

Check theirweb calendar for details about events they hold including farm-to-table dinners and cooking classes.